The Law of Colour and Colour Theory

Vocabulary flashcards covering fundamental concepts of color theory, including color types, temperature, combinations, and complimentary neutralization.

Law of Colour

A system for understanding colour relationships stating that, when combined, the same combination of colors will always produce the exact same result.

Colour Wheel

An important reference tool for stylists that illustrates how colors relate to each other, representing the universal theory of colour science and mixing.

Primary Colors

Blue, Red, and Yellow; these are the root of all other colors and cannot be created by mixing other colors.

Cool Colors

Colors characterized by a predominance of blue.

Warm Colors

Colors characterized by a predominance of red and yellow.

Secondary Colors

Green, Orange, and Violet; colors achieved by mixing two primary colors in equal parts.

Tertiary Colors

Colors achieved by mixing a primary colour with its neighboring secondary colour in equal parts (e.g., Blue-Green, Blue-Violet, Red-Violet, Red-Orange, Yellow-Orange, Yellow-Green).

Complimentary Colors

Primary and secondary colors positioned directly opposite each other on the colour wheel (one warm, one cool) that cancel each other out when combined.

Violet (Neutralizer)

The complimentary color that neutralizes yellow (such as violet shampoo used on blonde hair).

Blue (Neutralizer)

The complimentary color that neutralizes orange.

Green (Neutralizer)

The complimentary color that neutralizes red.